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Afghanistan: Drawdown

Afghan National Army soldiers conduct a live fire exercise with their mortars in Panjwayi, Kandahar, under the watchful eye of their US counterparts from 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

US troops from 1-38 Infantry in Panjwayi, Kandahar, prepare broken down vehicles for transportation back to the US as part of their ongoing drawdown from Afghanistan, on 19 April 2013. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

US troops from 1-38 Infantry in Panjwayi, Kandahar, prepare to go on a joint operation with Afghan Local Police, on 20 April 2013. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

Afghan Local Police (ALP), without uniforms, share Chai and conversation after conducting a joint operation with US soldiers from 1-38 Infantry in Panjwayi, Kandahar, on 21 April 2013. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

Abdul Jalil, an Afghan Local Police commander, is seen (3L, with prayer beads) alongside other ALP at a meeting with US troops in Panjwayi district, Kandahar, 25 April 2013. Jalil was killed fighting the Taliban days after this photo was taken. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

US troops from 1-38 Infantry at Masum Ghar in Panjwayi, Kandahar, continue to pack as part of their ongoing drawdown from Afghanistan, on 26 April 2013. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

An Afghan National Army soldier tees off at Masum Ghar, in Panjwayi district, Kandahar, on 27 April 2013, as US troops from Bayonet Company, 1-38 Infantry prepare to leave. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

Abdul Jalil (centre), an Afghan Local Police commander, is seen during a short lull in a five hour firefight with the Taliban in Pay-E Moluk village, Panjwayi district, Kandahar, on 30 April 2013. Jalil was killed fighting the Taliban days after this photo was taken. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

Abdul Jalil, an Afghan Local Police commander, is seen (3L) alongside other ALP during a short lull in a five hour firefight with the Taliban in Pay-E Moluk village, Panjwayi district, Kandahar, on 30 April 2013. Jalil was killed fighting the Taliban days after this photo was taken. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

Captain Matthew Boise, Bayonet Company Commander, 1-38 Infantry, listens on his radio during a short lull in a five hour firefight with the Taliban in Pay-E Moluk village, Panjwayi district, Kandahar, on 30 April 2013. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

Abdul Jalil, an Afghan Local Police commander, is seen (L) at a meeting with US troops in Panjwayi district, Kandahar, on 25 April 2013. Jalil was killed fighting the Taliban days after this photo was taken. [John D McHugh/Al Jazeera]

US troops from 1-38 Infantry at Masum Ghar in Panjwayi, Kandahar, continue to pack as part of their ongoing drawdown from Afghanistan, on 26 April 2013